Choosing a Guitar Teacher

**Posted by permission from my instructor Tom Hess (www.tomhess.net)

The electric guitar has advanced far beyond the time when someone could teach himself (or herself) to become a world class guitar player. If your ambition is to become a competent guitar player and a competent musician, you need a competent guitar teacher. Even if your goals are more modest, you can reach those goals far more quickly, easily and efficiently with the guidance of the right guitar teacher.

Much of the information that is needed to learn about guitar playing (and music in general) is available from many different sources.  The electric guitar has advanced far beyond the time when someone could teach himself (or herself) to become a world class guitar player. If your ambition is to become a competent guitar player and a competent musician, you need a competent guitar teacher. Even if your goals are more modest, you can reach those goals far more quickly, easily and efficiently with the guidance of the right guitar teacher. Much of the information that is needed to learn about guitar playing (and music in general) is available from many different sources. There are hundreds of books, instructional videos, CD-ROMs and, of course, the internet. Even though a lot of information is readily available, there exists a lot of incorrect, incomplete and otherwise bad information (this is especially true for a lot of information found on the internet!).

Are you ready for music lessons?

You will find three different lists below for adults (age 18 and above), parents, and younger students (under the age of 18).   If you can check most of the statements (around 75% of them) then you are ready for music lessons.

ADULTS:

• I have a good quality (guitar, drum, bass) that I can practice on regularly.
• I can commit to at least three lessons a month.
• I can practice at least 2-3 hours a week.
• I am confident that my desire to learn is a source of motivation.
• I am sometimes referred to as a perfectionist, and will not quit until I achieve my goals.
• I thrive on taking on new challenges.
• I understand that while playing music is enjoyable, I need to practice to improve my skills.
• I will get my instruments maintained, tuned, and repaired when advised to do so.
• I understand that learning to play both by ear and by notation are important.
• I understand that music theory is important.
• I am ready to take direction from a good and knowledgable teacher.

PARENTS:

• If my child is under the age of seven, I will help monitor practice.